Former U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher knocked down a new claim that he made an offer on behalf of President Trump to pardon Julian Assange in exchange for the Wikileaks founder admitting Russia played no part in hacking the DNC.
On Wednesday, one of Julian Assange’s lawyers reportedly told a British court that former Rep. Rohrabacher made the offer during a 2017 meeting at the Ecuadorian Embassy where Assage was being holed up.
Rohrabacher released a statement to “provide some clarity on the matter.”
Here is his full statement as found on his website:
”There is a lot of misinformation floating out there regarding my meeting with Julian Assange so let me provide some clarity on the matter:
“At no time did I talk to President Trump about Julian Assange. Likewise, I was not directed by Trump or anyone else connected with him to meet with Julian Assange. I was on my own fact finding mission at personal expense to find out information I thought was important to our country. Continued Below
“I was shocked to find out that no other member of Congress had taken the time in their official or unofficial capacity to interview Julian Assange. At no time did I offer Julian Assange anything from the President because I had not spoken with the President about this issue at all. However, when speaking with Julian Assange, I told him that if he could provide me information and evidence about who actually gave him the DNC emails, I would then call on President Trump to pardon him. At no time did I offer a deal made by the President, nor did I say I was representing the President.
“Upon my return, I spoke briefly with Gen. Kelly. I told him that Julian Assange would provide information about the purloined DNC emails in exchange for a pardon. No one followed up with me including Gen. Kelly and that was the last discussion I had on this subject with anyone representing Trump or in his Administration.
“Even though I wasn’t successful in getting this message through to the President I still call on him to pardon Julian Assange, who is the true whistleblower of our time. Finally, we are all holding our breath waiting for an honest investigation into the murder of Seth Rich.”
There is a lot of misinformation floating out there regarding my meeting with Julian Assange so let me provide some clarity on the matter: https://t.co/4ujr21e6YH #FreeAssange #SethRich #justice
— Dana Rohrabacher (@DanaRohrabacher) February 19, 2020
In ending, here is White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham’s statement she released to CNN in response to Assange’s lawyer’s claim:
“The President barely knows Dana Rohrabacher other than he’s an ex-congressman. He’s never spoken to him on this subject or almost any subject. It is a complete fabrication and a total lie. This is probably another never ending hoax and total lie from the DNC.”
